The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced that a sit-at-home order will be observed on May 30 to mark its yearly Biafra Heroes Memorial Day.
In a statement released on Monday, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful said all shops, markets, schools, offices, and other activities in the Southeast region will be shut down completely on that day.
He stated that May 30 has been declared a public holiday in the region to remember and honour Biafran men and women who lost their lives during and after the civil war while fighting for Biafra’s independence and self-determination.
Powerful urged residents to strictly obey the sit-at-home order, which will last from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 30.
Powerful said, “This one-day total lockdown is a solemn act of remembrance. We must stay indoors to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the Nigeria-Biafra war and in our continued fight for freedom.
“No movement, no market, no school, no church, no social gatherings. Only emergency and essential services will be exempted,” he stated.
He added that the lockdown will also affect all transportation systems. According to him, the measure is to prevent the kind of violence that happened in the past when criminals hijacked the day in some states.
IPOB also said it had contacted the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to adjust its exam timetable so that students would not be affected or put at risk.
The group further called on its members living abroad to hold peaceful protests and town hall meetings in honour of fallen Biafra heroes.
It also urged Nigerians living in foreign countries to use the day to appeal to the international community to help pressure the Nigerian government to release IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Meanwhile, IPOB warned its members within Nigeria—especially in the Southeast—to avoid any form of protest on May 30.
According to Emma Powerful, this is to avoid security forces targeting and arresting members of the group.
He also noted that this year’s remembrance will include special broadcasts and activities by IPOB.
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